Sutliff Tobacco Company Blend No.5

There are two types of good tobaccos. Tobacco so good you cellar it and tobacco you don’t mind smoking everyday. This tobacco is the latter and has been in my rotation since I opened the tin. The taste is sweet but no so sweet that you feel the need to rinse your mouth half way through the bowl. When I show this blend to non smokers they find the smell to be strong. However I got one of my friends who mainly smokes cigarettes to try it and I almost got him to switch to the pipe. Which is my main point with this blend. Ain’t anything special here for experienced smokers however if you haven’t smoked any English blends yet this would be the one to start with. What’s unique about this tobacco is even if you really puff on it the taste still shines through. A perfect tobacco to smoke while preoccupied with any kind of task. Whether it’s lawn care or writing a review. I might pick this blend up again down the road but with so many other tobaccos I haven’t experienced yet it’ll be a long time before I pick this tobacco up again.

I was looking for a nice, not too stout English blend for my “winter stash”. My taste in pipe tobacco is fairly ecclectic, but these days I am definitely a Va/Per and straight Virginia guy. Still, I also regularly smoke the milder burley-based blends, particularly the so-called “old codger” or otc blends. But for this winter, I really wanted to try some new blends, particularly those from companies I'm not familiar with or have limited experoience with. Plus, I wanted to get some “heavier” blends like English/Balkan blends and some more or less straight burley blends. So, I came across Sutliff's Private Stock series, and Blend No. 5 sounded like a promising cold weather blend. The 1.5 ounces came in a rather large tin. Upon opening, the tin note was largely latakia with maybe a hint of the nutty burley. My tin/pouch/baggie note sniffing abilities are not all that keen. Others may discern more. Tobacco Reviews indicates burley, latakia and Virginia as the component tobacco. The cut is your basic ribbon mixture. It looks like tobacco. The moisture content was fine. I didn't need to dry it at all. It loaded and lit up easily enough with plenty of smoke from the latakia. The first taste I got was certainly the latakia. The latakia has the driver's seat in this blend, in my opinion, but it is not a reckless driver. I don't care for “lat bombs”. I mean, Pirate Kake is just too much for my tastes. I'd say the most latakia-forward blend that I really enjoy is GLP Quiet Nights. Love the stuff! It's so well balanced. Blend No. 5 probably has less latakia than Quiet Nights, and as the bowl progresses I was able to taste the nutty burley and a bit of sweetness and maybe some hay from the Virginia. All three components show up and the blend is pretty well balanced. But the latakia is the primary player here, I think. All in all, this is a good blend that is mild enough to be an all day smoke for some, and perhaps a good introductory blend to those looking to try out English style blends. I think Blend No. 5 is good and is worth giving a try. I recommend it and may very well buy more.

Solid blend, Latakia is there but not overpowering, Burley is nutty and has a good earthy taste and the Virginia adds a grassy note. This has a sweet flavor as well. It is not listed as a component but I feel it may be a cavendish. Tin note matches the flavor as well. Overall an enjoyable smoke that can be enjoyed all day long as the nicotine is not over the top. This blend ages well as the flavors seem to marry and become a team. There are better blends of this type Or so I guess but I feel the price point on this one more than makes up the difference. Another fine offering from Sutliff.

It's been several years since I finished the last open tin I had of this blend. From what I remember it was a decent smoke worth giving a try. Well it looks like I'll have to open up one of the two unopened tins I still have. Let me see here... Well I hope they aged well. I've had these cellared for a little over 8 years.

Another of the bombing gifts I received. I don't know if I would say this is like 965, but I will say if you do like that, you will like this.

This tin note is heavy Lat, sweet and damp. Moisture is at a good level from the tin. Nice fluffy ribbons, mostly dark with some darker chunks. Lights well and burns well through the bowl. Developes nicely through the bowl. Can nip a bit if rushed. Good round, rich flavor. Decent nicotine content, not strong though.

All in all, it's good for what it was meant to be. A solid, Lat forward English blend with a burley base. I don't think 965 is a good comparison for this at all. I normally wouldn't go in for a sutliff private stock item, but this is nice. Beware the French quarter in this line, it's awful.

I absolutely LOVE this blend! It might be "similar" to other English style blends, but it has a unique taste all its own that makes it irresistible to my tastes. It has some kind of sweetish topping to it, but not enough to overpower the tobacco taste. No bite, smokes nice and cool and consistent flavor from start to the end of the bowl. Definitely getting more of this.

Label: In the true tradition of providing the market the best tobaccos available for over 160 years, English style tobaccos are flavored with only different types of tobacco and not additional flavoring. Generally, these blends use Latakia, Perique, and Virginia tobaccos and are best suited for the more experienced pipe smoker

Aroma: Smokey, I'm not a huge Latakia fan. It was clear, but I'm glad it wasn't overwhelming. There might be a bit of an aromatic vanilla smell, but it's not strong.

Taste: The Latakia is the first note, but not as strong as some other English blends. Coming from someone that prefers aromatics, it has a full flavor.

Room Note: It's definitely an outdoor smoke for me. I'll occassionally smoke an aromatic inside with the window open, but I wouldn't try that with No 5.

Thoughts: I think it's a good introduction to English tobacco, with a bit of Latakia, but not so much as to cover up all other tastes. It's a unique flavor, not too strong, and not unpleasant. I also didn't get the nicotine buzz that I get from some Englishes. I'll be smoking it again. If you normally smoke aromatics, it's worth a shot.

http://www.sutliff-tobacco.com/blend-5.html

The tin note is mostly latakia with a bit of a sour tinge. The latakia is smooth and toned down, not too strong. Although fairly standard cyprian latakia. Nasal exhale is comfortable. No bite noted. What I tasted most were the latakias and cavendish. There is a touch of sweetness. Room note has that caramelizing cavendish sort of marshmallow smell to it. Burns very well. Noticed the last of the bowl became bitter.

Winner. Almost a full home run.

Big statement this, this is a well research, crafted and presented smoke, with a lot going for it.

Its simple, strong, and very well done. The burley gives it big body and helps the burn, the Latakia is high in quantity and quality, the VA's overshadowed a little but they come through.

Decent Nic level, big flavors, heavy smoke and aftertaste.

I love it.

Sutliff, you get better and better each go-around, and this is an English I have reached for more than once.

Keep powering.